Höhe
/ˈhøːə/feminine
The English phrase 'height' is translated into German as Höhe.
Höhe is used to convey the concept of 'height', referring to the distance from the bottom to the top. It can also serve as the standard word for 'altitude' (such as above sea level) or 'level' (such as a level of intensity or a price level). To describe something that has a large Höhe, you use the related adjective hoch (high). If you want to say someone is 'taller', you can use größer and if you want to say they are 'shorter', you can use kleiner.
Meaning: distance from bottom to top (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Höhe is a feminine noun. In the genitive case (for example, to say 'of the height'), it becomes der Höhe.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhøːə/
Did you know?
- The word Höhe is used in financial contexts to describe the 'amount' or 'sum' of a payment or a loan.
- In German, you do not use Höhe to describe a person's height when asking how tall they are. Instead, you use Größe, which literally means 'size'.
- If a German says something is auf der Höhe, they might mean it is at its peak of success or perfection, rather than physically high up.
Examples in context
- Die Höhe des Stuhls ist verstellbar.The chair's height is adjustable.This sentence shows how to use Höhe to discuss an adjustable chair.Tatoeba #10939711 by toivo, translation #6219092 by megamanenm
- Ein Sturz aus der Höhe wäre tödlich.A fall from that height would be fatal.This sentence uses Höhe to describe a fall from a specific height.Tatoeba #11155187 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8108550 by Hybrid
- Der Baum hat die gleiche Höhe wie das Dach.The tree is the same height as the roof.This sentence uses Höhe to compare the height of a tree to a roof.Tatoeba #1561841 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9211620 by sundown
- Bitte geben Sie Ihre Körpergröße in Metern an.Please state your height in meters.
- Wie groß bist du?How tall are you?
- Kannst du mir deine Körpergröße verraten?Can you tell me your height?
- Ich bin 1,78 Meter groß.I am 1.78 meters tall.
- Mein Bruder ist größer als ich.My brother is taller than me.
- Sie ist kleiner als ihr Vater.She is shorter than her father.
- Er ist ungefähr 1,85 Meter groß.He is approximately 1.85 meters tall.
- Die Basketballspielerin ist sehr groß.The basketball player is very tall.
- Mein Cousin ist recht klein für sein Alter.My cousin is quite short for his age.
- Meine Schwester ist eine erfolgreiche Hochspringerin und hat eine beeindruckende Sprunghöhe.My sister is a successful high jumper and has an impressive jumping height.
- Das Regal hat eine Höhe von 2 Metern.The shelf has a height of 2 meters.
- Ich mag Schuhe mit hohen Absätzen.I like shoes with high heels.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Hannah are looking at a new bookshelf in their apartment.
- JulianHannah, kennst du die Höhe von diesem Regal?Hannah, do you know the height of this shelf?
- HannahIch glaube, die Höhe ist etwa zwei Meter.I think the height is about two meters.
- JulianDas passt perfekt unter die Decke.That fits perfectly under the ceiling.
- HannahJa, Julian, das sieht sehr gut aus.Yes, Julian, that looks very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “height” translations and entries Höhe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
